HWSD - Hoof Wall Separation Disease

HWSD stands for Hoof Wall Separation Disease - it is a recessive disease

Affected horses show separation and breaking of the dorsal hoof wall along the weight-bearing surface of the hoof during the first year of life. Horses are unable to carry their weight effectively and it often leads to laminitis and euthanasia. It does not affect all horses with the same severity. There is nottreatment that works long term for those that are strongly affected and putting them down is usually the only option.